Propulsion means



May 2, 1939. D. c. LO GIUDICE 8 PROPULSION MEANS Filed Dec. 13, 19:7 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor flan C Z0 11/12? Attorneys y 1939- 0. c. LO GIUDICE PROPULS ION MEANS Filed Dec 13, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invemor ignCifo c6" 'QM D. c. LO GIUDICE 2,156,898

I PROPULSION MEANS I Filed Dec. 13, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor 0m; (1 Z0 Glad/Ce .4 ftorne u s y 2, 1939 D. c. LO CISIUDICE 2,156,393

PROPULS ION MEANS Filed Dec. 13. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor 20 C40 agmeze QMML.

A fiorn'eys Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES i' TENT OFFiCE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in propulsion means particularly for water and air craft and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a novel construction, combination and arrangement whereby maximum efliciency may be had with a given expenditure of power.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a propulsion means which, as above stated, will not only be highly efficient but which will also be substantially vibrationless.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a propulsion means of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 is a view principally in side elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are views indicating the path or action of the water or air as the oscillating blades or surfaces reach the ends of their strokes.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and Figs, 1 and 2 thereof in particular, it will be seen that the reference numeral designates a pair of pontoons or other buoyant bodies of any suitable material. The pontoons l are secured to each other in spaced parallelism by pairs of vertically spaced bars 2. Mounted for oscillation in a horizontal plane between the upper and lower bars 2 is a pair of longitudinally aligned blades or the like 3.

The blades 3 are connected for simultaneous actuation but in opposite directions relative to each other by a lever 4. It will be observed that the lever 4 is pivotally connected at its ends by pin and slot connections to the blades 3 and at an intermediate point to one of the upper bars 2. Mounted on one of the pontoons I is a suitable motor 5. The motor 5 is operatively connected to the lever 4 by means including a crank 6 and a pitman 1.

In operation, the first stroke, for example, of the front blade 3 in a clockwise direction from point A to point B (see Fig. 1-) builds up a pressure phase on the front or leading surface C of said blade and a vacuum on the opposite or trailing surface D thereof. When this front blade has traversed its distance from point A to B and reverses its direction to one of counter clockwise, the surface C which has built up the pressure area changes immediately and begins to create a vacuum, and likewise the surface D which has previously built up a vacuum changes and builds up a pressure as said front blade C swings from point B to A. Simultaneously the first stroke of the front blade, the rear blade 3 swings in a counterclockwise direction from point E to point F, building up a pressure phase on the front or leading surface G thereof and a vacuum area on the trailing or Wake surface H. Of course, when the front blade 3 reverses and moves from point B to point A, the rear blade also reverses and swings from point F to point E. The synchronization of these two oscillating blades to effect the timing of the pressure phase of one blade to the vacuum phase of the other forms j the completion of the duo-phase stroke, utilizing a push and a pull of water in essentially the same direction of motion. This is shown to advantage in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. In other words, While one side of the mechanism, taken along the center line of oscillation of the blades, is effecting a push and pull of water, the opposite side is creating a pull and push hydraulically in the same direction. In this manner forward motion is developed. The action is such that substantially no water is lifted upwardly or pushed downwardly. Practically all water which is displaced by the blades is moved in a horizontal plane, thereby promoting efficiency.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the reference numeral t designates the fuselage of an air craft having mounted thereon a low stationary wing l9 and suitable tail surfaces I l. Supported at their forward ends for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the fuselage 9 are longitudinally aligned, horizontal blades or surfaces 12. Pivotally mounted at an intermediate point for rocking movement in a vertical plane in the fuselage 9 is a lever H? to the end portions of which arms 14 which depend from the blades or surfaces l2 are pivotally connected. A crank shaft l5, driven by a power plant lli in the fuselage 9, is operatively connected to the lever l3 by a pitman I1.

The construction and arrangement is such that,

as the front and rear blades I2 oscillate in a vertical plane in opposite directions relative to each other, a suction or vacuum is created and a lift, together with a forward motion, is realized. As the front blade [2 moves upwardly, a pressure area is built up thereabove and a suction or vacuum is created therebelow. Then, when this front blade 12 reverses its direction a pressure area is built up therebelow and a vacuum or suction is created thereabove. This also occurs during the oscillation of the rear blade l2. If desired, the halves of the front and rear blades l2 may be staggered relative to each other for increased stability and for reducing vibration. In other words, the left half or side of the front blade I2 may be elevated and the right side or half thereof lowered while the left half or side of the rear blade l2 may be lowered and the right side or half thereof elevated.

It is believed that the many advantages of a propulsion means in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that further modifications and changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

In combination, a pair of buoyant bodies, pairs of vertically spaced, transverse bars for connecting said bodies in spaced parallelism, a pair of longitudinally aligned blades mounted for oscillation in a horizontal plane between the pairs of bars, a lever pivotally connected, at an intermediate point, to one of the upper bars and pivotally and slidably connected at its ends to the blades, and means for actuating the lever, said lever constituting means for connecting the blades together for oscillation in unison but in opposite directions relative to each other.

DON C. LO GIUDICE. 

